elf

Meaning

Noun

1. A luminous spirit presiding over nature and fertility and dwelling in the world of Álfheim (Elfland). Compare angel, nymph, fairy.
2. Any from a race of mythical, supernatural beings resembling but seen as distinct from human beings. They are usually delicate-featured and skilled in magic or spellcrafting; sometimes depicted as clashing with dwarves, especially in modern fantasy literature.
3. Any of the magical, typically forest-guarding races bearing some similarities to the Norse álfar (through Tolkien's Eldar).
4. A very diminutive person; a dwarf.
5. The bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix).

Verb

To twist into elflocks (of hair); to mat.

Concepts

elf

fairy

sprite

imp

gnome

hob

goblin

hobgoblin

spirit

nymph

dwarf

pixy

pixie

puck

gremlin

fay

brownie

pygmy

charm

eleven

gnome 1

leprechaun

daemon

demon

lilliputian

manikin

midge

midget

minim

pigmy

runt

troll

ghost

incubus

sylph

kobold

genie

wizard

barghest

legendary creature

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɛlf/

Etymology

From Middle English elf, from Old English ielf, ælf, from Proto-West Germanic *albi, from Proto-Germanic *albiz. Ultimately probably derived from Proto-Indo-European *h₂elbʰós (“white”). Doublet of alf and oaf.